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Front Matter, Spiritus Editors

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

No abstract provided.

Spiritus 11, No. 1 (2026), Spiritus Editors

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

This is the full Spring issue of Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology 11, no. 1 (2026).

The Inscrutability Of Providence In Tarkovsky's Stalker, Peter G. Goldman

Journal of Religion & Film

Andrei Tarkovsky’s Stalker (1979) follows a spiritual journey that is at once literal and allegorical. The Zone, created by an alien visitation, is a place with conscious agency, and it reacts to those who enter its space. The Stalker says, rather obscurely, "it's as if we construct it according to our state of mind." How exactly the Zone responds to those who visit it is arguably the central question of the film. The Zone's agency is analogous to Providence in some sense, and the film is filled with Christian references on several levels. While most critics see Stalker as an …

Fear, Formation, And The Dark Transcendent: Two Theological Approaches To Horror, John W. Morehead

Journal of Religion & Film

This essay reviews two books: Bryan Stone, Christianity and Horror Cinema (Routledge Studies in Religion and Film) (New York: Routledge, 2025), and Ryan G. Duns, S.J., Theology of Horror: The Hidden Depths of Popular Films (Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 2025).

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, Elijah Siegler

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025), directed by Rian Johnson.

The First Murder: An Analysis Of Genesis 4:1-16 Toward An Understanding Of The Old Testament's Perspective On The Ethics Of Killing, Henry Kreiter

Master of Divinity (MDiv)

The story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 contains the first biblical account of one human killing another yet provides a markedly terse description of the murder itself. This suggests the author's primary concern was not the details of the killing, but the characters and events surrounding it. An analysis of early Jewish interpretations, Christian commentaries, and intra-biblical teachings reveals a common understanding that the author of Genesis 4 was predominantly focused on the character traits of Cain and the damage his heart of self-absorbed wickedness caused himself and those around him. The Genesis 4 narrative presents a God …

Res Historica, Volume 5, Alpha Rho Epsilon Phi Alpha Theta, Lindsay Rae Smith Privette Phd

Res Historica

The 2026 journal of historical research by Anderson University students, Res Historica.

The editorial team for this edition of Res Historica was Dr. Lindsay Rae Smith Privette, Julia Ackerman, Callyn Wright, Logan Davis, and John Hinton. Cover art by Mary Beth Lee.

Mercy In Motion: A Ministry Of Missional Engagement To The Local Community, Zane Patterson

Christian Ministries Senior Capstone

This paper presents Mercy In Motion, a philosophy of ministry designed to cultivate reconciliation between the church and the local community through intentional relationships marked by mercy, compassion, and community engagement. Utilizing William Frankena’s philosophy of education model, the ministry argues that humanity’s ultimate purpose is communion with God and others through reconciliation accomplished in Christ. The paper examines theological and cultural premises that shape the ministry, including the relational nature of the image of God, the influence of individualism on community, and the church’s responsibility to participate in reconciliation. It further develops a ministry profile emphasizing communion with God, …

Wholehearted: Equipping Local Churches To Help Women Heal From Sexual Abuse, Kaitlin Burden

Christian Ministries Senior Capstone

Many women in the church have experienced sexual abuse. Trauma of sexual abuse often leaves a variety of effects, and healing is necessary. God has called the church to play a role in the healing journey by acknowledging sexual abuse, responding with care, and guiding women toward healing. However, many women are not met with care or proper resources from the church, despite a longing for healing. Wholehearted is a sexual abuse recovery ministry that can be implemented at any church, often as an extension of a women’s or care ministry. Wholehearted desires that women will take their next steps …

Faith In Action: How Liberation Theology Connected Communities Around The World, Jaizeth Andrea Munoz

Posters - 2026

The Liberation Theology movement started in Latin America as a response to poverty, inequality, and violence. It focuses on the idea that religion should not stay neutral, but instead help people who are suffering and facing injustice. It began with Gustavo Gutiérrez, who believed that faith should be connected to real-life struggles, especially for the poor. Even though it began in Catholic communities, its focus on justice and human dignity allowed other religious communities to relate to it and adapt it.

The research asks how Liberation Theology has connected religious communities around the world and examines how these ideas have …

Behind The Suit: How Recovering A Biblical Worldview And Implementing Spiritual Formation Practices Can Improve The Mental Health Crisis In The Legal Profession, Makayla G. Johnson

Senior Honors Theses

A Biblical worldview is the foundation upon which the United States government and legal system is built, however in recent years the understanding of a Biblical Worldview has been in decline. This shift has had a profound impact on the legal field, causing a loss of purpose and meaning in the profession, which research asserts has in part caused many mental health issues found in the legal field. With this in mind, the following study will include information regarding the extent to which the implementation of spiritual formation practices, when practiced specifically by those in the legal profession, could impact …

An Eschatological Investigation Of Fatherlessness Through A Christological Lens: Exploring Identity, Hope, And Restoration In A Fatherless Generation, Derrick Marshall

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

This dissertation analyses the relationship between fatherlessness across generations and selected indicators of cultural development and social stability in contemporary society. It also evaluates how a local church context may function as a site of intervention to address the relational, emotional, and spiritual consequences associated with father absence. The study is conducted within LIFEchurch in El Paso, Texas, and is situated within theological reflections on sonship, identity, and restoration. The research employed a multi-method descriptive design and utilized a single Qualtrics survey instrument comprising both structured quantitative items and open-ended qualitative questions. Participants were adults affiliated with the LIFEchurch community. …

Plasma N6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Levels And Risk For Dementia: A Prospective Observational Study From The United Kingdom Biobank, Aleix Sala-Vila, Nathan Tintle, Jason Westra, Evan Dejong, Tom J. Clark, Paige Miller, Martha A. Belury, William S. Harris

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

Background

Some recent observational studies have linked higher blood linoleic acid (LA) concentration with lower risk of cardiometabolic diseases. However, these associations have not been observed for other n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which, in some settings, have been linked to higher disease risk, and thus the controversy over the health effects of n-6 PUFAs remains. Dementia is a paradigmatic case of it.

Objectives

To investigate the association of LA and non-LA n-6 PUFAs with the risk of incident dementia.

Methods

We included 273,795 participants from the UK Biobank free of dementia at baseline for whom plasma n-6 PUFAs data …

Long Live The Good King: A Niebuhrian Analysis Of Arthur’S Ethical Kingship In The Once And Future King, Camille Bewley

Tenor of Our Times

The classic The Once and Future King, written by T.H. White, is a selection of four fantasy novels with one, linear plot: the story of Arthur, the mythological King of England. Reinhold Niebuhr’s book Moral Man and Immoral Society details the Christian realism of a world in need of justice without the ability to achieve perfect application. Through good education, Arthur is well endowed with Niebuhr’s requirements for a functional society: knowledge, honor, wisdom, and compassion. Such king-like qualities make him one of the most influential mythological characters in history, and a grand exemplar for maintaining ethical goals and personal …

Book Review: The Unwavering Pastor: Leading The Church With Grace In Divisive Times By Jonathan Dodson, Jordan Ickes

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Ethics In Church-Based Research, David R. Dunaetz

Great Commission Research Journal

Both biblical principles and the standards used in the social sciences help researchers understand how to ensure their research is ethical and how to avoid the temptations associated with conducting research. Using a framework derived from Ephesians 4:25-28, these principles include truthfulness, avoidance of harm, and integrity through hard work. Ethical violations include data fabrication and falsification, questionable research practices, inaccurate references, duplicate publication, coercion of participants, and plagiarism. Special care must be taken to prevent harm to participants, either directly or indirectly. Researchers studying church-based phenomena also need to be aware of the heuristics and biases that can weaken …

Book Review: Churches, Cultures And Leadership: A Practical Theology Of Congregations & Ethnicities, 2nd Ed. By Mark Branson And Juan Martinez, Kenneth Nehrbass

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Clergy Prayer Life And Vocational Satisfaction, Zoraida C. Kelly

Great Commission Research Journal

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experience of clergy concerning their prayer life as part of their spiritual renewal and vocational satisfaction. The central research question is “How do clergy describe the relationship between their prayer life, vocational satisfaction, and spiritual renewal?” This study used Michael Gemignani’s (2002) Spiritual Renewal Theory and Super’s (1953) Theory of Vocational Development as lenses. The research design consisted of semi-formal interviews with open-ended questions. The investigation shed light on the lived experience of prayer as part of spiritual renewal and its potential positive effect on vocational satisfaction. This study included five participants who …

Cultural Landscaping Of North Korea: Preparing For Mission Engagement Through Large-Scale Defector Insights On Economy And Society, Soo Min James Park

Great Commission Research Journal

North Korea is one of the world’s most closed societies, yet history shows that closed systems can shift rapidly. A sudden opening through political change, humanitarian crisis, or expanded cross-border engagement could expose millions to unprecedented cultural, social, and spiritual influences. While earlier mission research relied primarily on anecdotal testimonies or small-sample studies, this study draws on the most comprehensive resource available to date, in-depth surveys of 6,351 North Korean defectors released in 2025 by South Korea’s Ministry of Unification. Through thematic analysis, the study conducts cultural deductions across nine categories, including five of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, cultural tightness/looseness, communication …

Book Review: Remissioning Church: A Field Guide To Bringing A Congregation Back To Life By Josh Hayden, Keith A. Darlington

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Lead: 12 Gospel Principles For Leadership In The Church, 2nd Ed. By Paul David Tripp, Ryan Gause

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

The State Of Youth Ministry In Asian American Churches Today, Eunice Hong, Jinna Si Lo Jin

Great Commission Research Journal

Despite growing concern about youth disengagement from Christianity and the Christian church (Pew Research Center, 2025), strategies specifically tailored to engage Asian American youth remain under-researched. Drawing from interviews with 16 senior pastors and youth leaders across North America, this paper presents key findings on current ministry practices, with implications of emerging approaches to foster deeper youth engagement in Asian American church contexts.

Fallen Light (Video Game), Joshua Do

Presentations - 2026

Problem:

•People misunderstand Lucifer’s deception

•(shown through Temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4) •Lack of engaging ways to teach theological concepts   •Background: Lucifer corrupts not through force, but subtle self-elevation and doubt   Motivation:   •Just initially wanted to make a game of how sin entered the world for fun   •Just thought it was a cool idea in general.

Solution:

•Dialogue-driven narrative game   •6+ story chapters   •10+ regions   •Focused on spiritual conflict, deception, and discernment   •Uses event-based progression   •Presents Lucifer through subtle manipulation, by being a false light by choosing self-pleasure over what is right.

Young Life: A Philosophy Of Incarnational Youth Ministry In Grant County, Indiana, Symon Cater

Christian Ministries Senior Capstone

This paper presents a vision for Young Life ministry in Grant County, Indiana, framed around William K. Francena’s model of moral education, with the unifying theme that adolescents are transformed from the inside out when they encounter the reality of being known and loved. Box A establishes the ultimate purpose of human existence as being known by God, knowing God, and being with God — a purpose that anchors every subsequent section of the paper. Box B builds upon this foundation by articulating five theological and sociological premises touching on prayer, Scripture, human relationality, adolescent cultural formation, and identity development, …

Rooted Families: A Whole Family Ministry, Aubree Nelson

Christian Ministries Senior Capstone

Rooted Families is set in the context of a family dynamic: a mother, a father, and children. Parents often drop their kids off at church on Sunday, yet many feel unqualified to disciple their children at home. This paper is the philosophy of ministry for Rooted Families, which is located at First Missionary Church in Fort Wayne Indiana. The goal is to provide a framework for churches to enable them to create spaces for parents to learn and be equipped to disciple their children. This paper describes the theological, anthropological, and sociological premises that affect parents and their influence over …

Who Then Can Be Saved? A Discussion Of Views Within The Christian Tradition Concerning The Salvation Of The Non-Christian, Logan A. Davis

Honors Theses

This thesis argues that, contrary to popular conception, the Christian Tradition is not strictly exclusivist in its understanding of salvation or in its assessment of the fate of the non-Christian but rather displays a rich diversity of views. Both the Christian Tradition and the Christian scriptures are characterized by a certain ambiguity on this issue; although a definitive answer may exist, it is not easily identifiable. Given this ambiguity, the study presents a representative spectrum of theological positions within the Christian Tradition and analyzes their respective treatments of the salvation of the non-Christian. In doing so, it seeks to provide …

Haitian Protestant Leaders’ Perceptions Of Social Media Use For Discipleship, Cherubin Dorcil

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

This qualitative descriptive study explores how Haitian Protestant church leaders in a large urban area of the northeastern United States describe the influence of their use of social media on promoting discipleship. The study addresses a gap in understanding how digital ministry practices are interpreted within Haitian Protestant diaspora contexts and how these practices inform both theory and ministry application. Using a qualitative descriptive design, data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 Haitian Protestant church leaders selected through convenience sampling. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis, which resulted in the identification of five primary themes: social media as …

How The Economic Mindset Impedes The Faithful Practice Of The Missional Call A Case Study Of The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus Global Mission Endeavors, Wondimu M. Game

Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation

Wondimu M. Game, “How the Economic Mindset Impedes the Faithful Practice of the Missional Call: A Case Study of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus Global Mission Endeavors,” PhD Dissertation, Concordia Seminary, 2026, 278 pp.

This study examines the theological and missiological foundations of the indigenous church in light of the Venn–Anderson three-self principles of self-governance, self-support, and self-propagation. While these principles have shaped Protestant mission practice, their application has often become structural and economic rather than ecclesial and theological, In some contexts, this has contributed to patterns of financial dependency and weakened local initiative due to an impoverished economic …

Book Review: Emplacing Globalisation: Contextualising Mission In Settings Of People, Places And Processes By John Cheong And Jonathan Ro, David H. Campbell

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Game Of Pulpits: The 7 Voices Vying For The Kingdom - Who Will Win & Why By Gary Comer, Lavern Brown

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.